“We have met the enemy, and he is us,” was famously said by comic strip character, Pogo, a creation of cartoonist, Walt Kelly. Originally the quote came from an Earth Day poster in 1970 to illustrate our human complicity in the problems of pollution. As in so many circumstances human beings are our own worst enemy.
I have been shaped by this kind of thinking. Theologically, I have a well-developed view of sin. Though created in the original good graces of a loving God, we humans have trouble getting out of our own way. I am often disappointed, discouraged, and dismayed at sinful human behavior, but never surprised. As hymnist Robert Robinson put it, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it.” Selfishness, greed, and other distressing tendencies always seem to get in the way of our best intentions. I wish it were otherwise, but there it is.
Pogo’s observation keeps us from pointing the finger at the sin outside of us. Wickedness may lie “out there” somewhere in some readily recognizable “them,” but the truth remains that there is wickedness at work in “us,” as well. “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). And again, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1-3).
Still, one cannot live life without making judgments. When faced with two or more choices, one must choose, and preferably the choice is right, or life-giving, loving, or at the least, the lesser of two evils. And in making such judgments one necessarily implies that those who choose otherwise have made the wrong choice. That does not make them evil, of course, only misguided or perhaps, ignorant. There is also the possibility that they are willfully reprobate, or incalcitrant. But, as Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
In Christian orthodoxy (“right teaching”), the Church has tried to avoid dualism - creating a false dichotomy between “us” (the good), and “them” (the evil). When we point the finger at someone else, the cliche reminds us that there are three fingers pointing back at us. So, we must discern the presence of evil with humility and mercy. But we must nonetheless use our discernment lest we ourselves be tempted to fall into sin.
Christians have committed atrocities in our history by not distinguishing between the evil and the good. Christians have defended slavery. Thank God there were also Christians who were ardent abolitionists. Christians in Germany supported Hitler. Thank God there was also The Confessing Movement which perceived and warned of Nazism’s excesses. And as much as scripture cautions us against being overly judgmental, we are also warned to not worship golden calves. Scripture alarms us regarding “desolating sacrilege.” Jesus pronounced woe on the scribes and Pharisees whom he judged as wrong. Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple for turning worship into an economic transaction. Jesus made judgments of people repeatedly. Jesus reminds us that “narrow is the gate . . . which leads to life,” and “wide . . . is the way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). In other words, we must make judgments about how to live into Christlikeness.
Not to belabor the subject, I want to suggest some ways that disciples of Jesus might follow in the narrow way in the midst of choices and controversies that face us in the 21st Century. In the current racial crisis we would do well to follow the Golden Rule. Doing unto others as we would have done to us is not only good advice for interpersonal relationships but also a preferred way of ordering society. Our institutions would thereby provide equal opportunity for all. As “white” people have experienced privilege (as has been done to “us”), how might we structure our society so that privilege was available to people of color (and so do for “others”)?
In regards to immigration, our policies and procedures would be marked by “welcoming the stranger,” rather than the boondoggle of building walls. While immigration reform is necessary, the border separation of children from their parents would not be tolerated. “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).
The great conflict caused by the coronavirus pandemic pits economic interests against community health. Loss of jobs is a catastrophic consequence of social distancing measures. However, the alternative leads to death for vulnerable populations. In such a time, Christians would willingly sacrifice for the greater good, and governments would provide relief for those making the greatest sacrifices. “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
Each of the preceding paragraphs could easily become a long chapter in a book, even a book in itself. But these are examples of how a Christian makes judgments in the midst of the variety of choices before us in the present day. I venture to add one more example: gun control. And I lead with a question: What is the Biblical precedent for gun rights? When Jesus says, “Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword,” how does the Christian justify the right to be armed to the hilt? When Jesus says, “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also . . ,” how does the Christian justify concealed carry? The right to bear arms may be a constitutional provision but it is not a Christian right, and by no means is it a Christian virtue.
As someone once said, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Christians must stand for what is right, life-giving, and loving. Christians must make judgments in order to be Christlike. As lines are drawn in the sand there are times when one must choose which side one is on, but with a reminder, also from Jesus who said, “Love your enemies.” As we choose between the evil and the good, let humility, mercy, and love be our guide in our relationships with those who have, regrettably, chosen wrong.
